Musical instrument strings



June 14, 1955 E, v. SUNDT MUSICAL INSTRUMENT STRINGS Filed NOV" 18. 1949IN VEN TOR. dfim FL dim flaw; 6 0% ATTORNEYS. W

MUMCAL 1N STRUMENT STRINGS Edward V. Sundt, Wilmette, Ill., assignor toSundt Engineering Company, Des Plaines, 11]., a corporation of lliliuoisApplication November 18, 1949, Serial No. 128,155

14 Claims. (Cl. 84-497) This invention relates generally to strings forstringed musical instruments and more particularly to strings forviolins.

While considerable technology has been devoted to the construction ofviolins and other stringed instruments for improving the same, verylittle, if any, has been successfully accomplished toward improving thestrings thereof. After all of these years of history gut strings arestill widely used on violins along with a steel E string. All attemptsto provide improved violin strings have been unsuccessful as isevidenced by the continued use of conventional gut strings.

Conventional gut strings are not wholly satisfactory for they aresubject to rapid deterioration and break easily, they stretch readilycausing them to lose their pitch, they are not properly weighted and aretensioned ditferently which greatly eifects the tonal quality of theviolin and audibly indicates movement from one string to another duringplaying of the violin.

Various types of violin strings have been proposed in the past and,while they have proven stronger than the gut strings, they have notimproved upon the tonal qualities. in fact, they have been a stepbackward in this respect. Such strings have uniformly been more rigid,vibrating as a bar rather than a string, and there have been nosuccessful steps in properly correlating the strings.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an improved set ofstrings for a stringed musical instrument such as a violin wherein thestrings of the set are so constructed and related to each other as toprovide maximum strength and tonal qualities. In this respect eachviolin string is made of a plurality of wires of small diameter whichare impregnated with and bonded together by an elastomer. As a result,each string has maximum strength and maximum flexibility so as tovibrate as nearly as possible as a string and to be subjected to minimumdamping when fingered. In relating the strings of the set each string ispreferably made of substantially the same diameter, the difierences indiameter being relatively small, in order to provide for ease infingering and uniform tonal quality between strings. The strings of theset are preferably weighted in substantially a geometrical progressionin order that the strings may be substantially equally tensioned tobring them to pitch. This further equalizes the tonal quality providingeach string with substantially the same degree of harmonic contents. Thegraduated weighting of the strings may be accomplished by winding thestrings with wires of ditferent weight.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the specification, claims anddrawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the related E, A, D and G violin strings ofthis invention with portions thereof broken away for purposes ofillustration, and

Pig. 2 is a transverse sectional view through tthe violin strings ofFig. l and Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of a modified form ofthe E string.

states Patent 2,710,557 Patented June 14, 1955 While the principles ofthis invention are applicable to strings of various types of stringedmusical instruments they are disclosed in this application withparticular reference to strings for violins. The E, A, D and G .violinstrings are generally designated in Figs. 1 and 2 at 10, 11, 12 and 13respectively.

The E string 10 preferably includes a plurality of closely associatedwires 15 of small diameter, as for example, 20 strands of approximately.002 in. diameter high carbon steel wires. These closely associatedWires of small diameter are impregnated with and bonded together by anelastomer 16 having the properties of natural, reclaimed, vulcanized orsynthetic rubber. The elastomer 16 may consist of rubber or rubbersubstitutes, such as, those produced by polymerisation of butadienealone or with styrene, interaction between sodium polysulfides anddihalides, polymerisation of chloroprene, polymerisation andplasticisation of vinyl chloride, polymerisation ofisobutylene. Theimpregnated core is preferably wound with a light weight metal wire 17having a density between 100 and 200 lbs. per cubic ft., as for example,magnesium or aluminum wire of approximately .002 in. in diameter. Theresulting E string has an overall diameter of approximately .016 in.

The A string 11 also includes a plurality of closely asso-' ciated wires19 of small diameter which are impregnated with and bonded together byan elastomer 20. The closely associated wires may include 24 strands ofapproximately. .002 in. high carbon steel and the elastomer may be ofthe same type as the elastomer 16 for the E string 10. The resultingcore is tightly wound with a heavier wire 21 having a density between400 and 700 lbs. per cubic ft; A large variety of wires for this purposemay be utilized including, for example, antimony, copper, cobalt,manganese, molybdenum, nickel, silver, zinc, bismuth, cadmium, chromium,tin, vanadium or the like. Extremely suitable results have been obtainedby winding the core with an approximately .004 in. diameter copper orPhos-' phor bronze wire. The resulting A string has an outside diameterof approximately .019 inch.

The D string 12 also includes a plurality of closely associated wires 23of small diameter impregnated with and bonded together by an elastomer24. Here 40 strands of approximately .002 in. high carbon steel wiresmay be impregnated with and bonded together by an elastomer similar tothat used in the E string 10. The resulting core may be tightly woundwith a still heavier wire 25 having a density between 1100 and 1400 lbs.per cubic foot. Such wires, for example, may include tungsten, gold,iridium, osmium, platinum, tantalium. Particularly good results havebeen obtained by using an approximately .003 in. diameter gold platedtungsten Wire. The resulting D string 12 has an outside diameter ofapproximately .021 in.

The G string 13 also includes a plurality of closely associated wires 27of small diameter impregnated with and bonded together by an elastomer28. To make the G string 13 of greater weight the wires 27 arepreferably made of a metal having a high density.' Particularly goodresults have been obtained by using 40 strands of approximately .0018in. tungsten wire. The elastomer 28 for impregnating and bondingtogether the wires 27 may be similar to the elastomer used in the Estring 10. The

resulting core is also tightly wound with a heavy wire 29 having adensity between 1100 and 1400 lbs. per cubic foot, and the metals listedin connection with the D string 12 may equally as well be utilized here.Particularly good results have been obtained by winding the core with anapproximately .005 in. gold plated tungsten wire. The resulting A stringhas an outside diameter of approximately .025 in.

Thus, it is seen that each of the violin strings includes a core havingaplurality of. closely associated wires of small diameter whereby eachof the violin strings is rendered extremely flexible so that it mayvibrate more nearly "asa string than as a rod, and therefore, give bestto'n'a'l qualities. P cau'se of the extreme flexibility of the stringsdamping "and resultant decrease in overtones by fingering the stringsduringplaying are maintained at a minimum. impregnating and bondingtogether the closely associated wires of small diameter by a suitableelastomer operates to distribute thestresses between the wires making upthe core. Thus, the placing of a large tensile force on any of theindividual wires of the core with resultant breakage is eliminated. Theelastomer, distributing the stresses between the wires forming the core,does not. materially affect the flexibility of the core, and yet maximumstrength is provided. The elastomer also provides asuitab'le base aboutwhich the wrapping wires may be tightly wound 'for the purpose ofproviding the strings with the appropriate weight.

The effective lengths of the E, A, D and G strings are the same, beingsubstantially 13 inches on a violin. The diameters of the E, A, D and Gstrings are substantially the same, with the maximum difference indiameters be tween the E string and the G string being less than 50% ofthe diameter of the G string. When this is contrasted with conventionalviolin strings where the steel 33 string is approximately .01 in. andthe adjacent gut A string is approximately .03 in, it is evident thatthe strings of this invention are of substantially the same diameter.For practical purposes, however, it is desirable to have a slightdifference in string diameters and preferably the strings progressivelydiffer slightly in diameter in an arithmetical progression.Specifically, it is seen that the difference in diameter between the E,A, D and G strings is about .003 in.

The weighting of the various strings is preferably made such that tuningof the respective strings to the proper pitch is obtained by tensioningthe respective strings to substantially the same value. The weighting ofthe strings is such that the weights thereof progressively increase in asubstantially geometrical progression of two, for example, for the 13in. efiective length of the violin strings the E string weighssubstantially .150 gram, the Av string substantially .300 gram, the Dstring substantially .600 gram and the G string substantially 1.200grams. This geometrical progression of two is particularly adaptable inthe case of violin strings wherein the intervals between strings are infifths.

Since the respective E, A, D and G strings are weighted in accordancewith the aforementioned geometrical progression, they may all be tunedto pitch by tensioning them to substantially the same value and in thespecific illustration given herein that tension is approximately 15 lbs.For all types of conventional violin strings the tension applied to thestring ranges between ll to 17.8 lbs, for A strings between 8.5 to 16.5lbs., for D strings between 8.2 and 12.0 lbs. and for G strings between8.7 to 12.3 lbs. Since the amount of overtones and hence the harmoniccontent is determined largely by the tension applied to the strings, itis evident that in the case of conventional. violin strings there isconsiderable deviation in the tonal quality between strings. However, inaccordance with this invention wherein the strings are all tensioned tosubstantially the same value, differences in tonal quality are reducedto a minimum. Hence, it is diilicult audibly to detect movement from onestring to another during playing of the violin as is the case whenconventional strings are utilized.

Thus, there is provided in accordance with this invention a. matched setof strings wherein the strings have maximum strength to minimizestretching and breaking, wherein the strings are relatively flexible toprovide best tone qualities, wherein the strings are respectivelyweighted to provide accurate tuning to the desired pitch, wherein thestrings are all tensioned to substantially the same value to providesubstantially equal tonal quality and wherein the strings havesubstantially the same diameter to facilitate fingering thereof.

Fig. 3 illustrates a modified form of E string which also ivessatisfactory results and which may be satisfactorily elated with theother strings although perhaps with not 5 great a degree of perfection.This modified E string is generally designated at 31 in Fig. 3 and itincludes a plurality of closely associated wires 32 of small diameterimpregnated with and bonded together by and coated with an elastomer 33.in this arrangement a separate wrapping wire not utilized. Specifically,the E string 31 may include a. 24 strand core of approximately .002diameter high carbon steel wire and the elastomer may consist of a vinylresin which is built up to provide an outside diameter of approximately.14 in. This string has the desired weight so that it may be tuned topitch when tensioned to approximately 15 lbs.

While for purposes of illustration various forms of this invention havebeen disclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilledin the art upon reference to this disclosure, and therefore, thisinvention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

claim as my invention:

1. A matched set of strings for a stringed musical instrument comprisinga plurality of related strings, each including a plurality of closelyassociated wires of small diameter impregnated with and bonded togetherby an elastomer, said plurality of related strings having substantiallythe same effective lengths, having substan y the same diameters with thedifference between the diameters of the smallest and largest diameterstrings being less than fifty percent of the diameter of the largestdiameter string,

and having progressively increased weights in substantially ageometrical progression, the arrangement being such that appropriatetuning of the stringed musical instrument is provided when the stringsare tensioned to substantially the same extent.

2. A matched set of strings for a stringed musical instrument comprisinga plurality of related strings, each including a plurality of closelyassociated wires of small diameter impregnated with and bonded togetherby an elastomer and a wire wrapped tightly therearonnd, said pluralityof related strings having substantially the same effective lengths.having substantially the same diameters with the difference between thediameters of the smallest and largest diameter strings being less thanfifty per cent of the diameter of the largest diameter string, andhaving progressively increased weights in substantially a geometricalprogression, the arrangement being such that appropriate tuning of thestringed musical instrument is provided when the strings are tensionedto substantially the same extent.

A string for a stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated wires or" small diameter impregnated with and bondedtogether by an elastomer.

4. A string for a stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated wires of small diameter impregnated with and bondedtogether by an elastOmer and a wire wrapped tightly therearound.

5. A string for a stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated high carbon steel wires of small diameter impregnatedwith and bonded together by and coated with an elastomer.

6. A string for a stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated high carbon steel wires of small diameter impregnatedwith and bonded together by an elastomer, and a metallic wire having adensity between to 200 pounds per cubic foot wrapped tightlytherearound.

7. A string for a stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated high carbon steel wires of small. diameterimpregnated with and bonded together by an elastomer, and a metallicwire having a density between 400 and 700 pounds per cubic foot wrappedtightly therearound.

8. A string for stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated high carbon steel wires of small diameter impregnatedwith and bonded together by an elastorncr, and a metallic wire having adensity between 1100 and 1400 pounds per cubic foot wrapped tightlytherearound.

9. A string for a stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated tungsten wires of small diameter impregnated with andbonded togeth r by an elastorner, and a metallic wire having a densitybetween 1l00 and 1400 pounds per cubic foot wrapped tightly therearound.

10. A string for a stringed musical instrument comprising a plurality ofclosely associated tungsten wires of small diameter impregnated with andbonded together by an elastomer, and a gold plated tungsten wire wrappedtightly therearound.

11. A matched set of strings for a stringed musical instrument tuned tointervals of fifths comprising a plurality or related strings, eachinclu ing a plurality of closely associated wires oi smell 0 meterimprecnated with and bonded together by an elastorncr, said plurality ofrelated strings havinr. substantially the same effective lengt 15,having substantially the same diameters with the difference between thediameter of the smallest and largest diameter strings being less thanfifty percent of the diameter of the l gest diameter string, and havingprogressively increased Wrghts substantially a geo metrical progressionof two, the arrangement being such that appropriate tuning of thestringed musical instrument is provided when the strings are tension-edto substantially the same extent.

12. A matched set of strings for a stringed musical instrument tuned tointervals of fifths comprising a plurality of related strings, eachincluding a plurality of closely associated wires of small diameterimpregnated with and bonded together by an elastorner and a wire wrappedtightly therearound, said plurality of related strings havingsubstantially the same effective lengths, having substantially the samediameters with the difference between the diameter of the smallest andlargest diameter strings being less than fifty percent of the diameterof the largest diameter string, and having proressively increasedweights in substantially a geometrical progression of two, thearrangement being such that appropriate tuning of the stringed rnusicalinstrument is provided when the strings are tensioned to substantiallythe same extent.

13. A matched set of strings for a stringed instrument comprising aplurality of related strings, each including a plurality of closelyassociated wires of small diameter impregnated with and bonded togetherby an elastorner, said plurality of related strings having substantiallythe same effective lengths, having progressively increased diameters insubstantially an arithmetical progression of less than twenty percentdifference therebetween, and having progressively increased weights insubstantially a geometrical progression, the arrangement being such thatappropriate tuning of the stringed musical instrument provided when thestrings are tensioned to substantially the same extent.

1.4. A matched set of strings for a stringed musical instrument tuned tointervals of fifths comprising a plurall y of related strings, eachincluding a plur y of closely associated wires of small diameterimpregnated with and bonded together by an elastonier, said pluraluy orrelated strings having substantially the same effective lengths, havingprogressively increased diameters in substantially an arithmeticalprogression of less than twenty percent dilterence therebetween, andhaving progressively increased weights in substantially a geometricalprogression of two, the arrangement being such tl a. appropriate tuningof the stringed musical instrument is provided when the stringstensioned to substantially the same extent.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS202,020 Gray Apr. 2, 1878 220,907 Arbogast Oct. 28, 1879 1,187,962Barstow lune 19.16 1,277,744 Nicolle Sept. 3, 1918 1,772,84 SpolidoroAug. 12, 1930 2,005,614 Fassbender June 18, 1935 2,048,450 Horn July 21,1936 2,049,769 Gray Aug. 4, 1936 2,049,770 Gray Aug. 4, 1936 2,112,088Gould, Jr Mar. 22, 1938 2,252,095 Pavek Aug. 12, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS16,172 Great Britain July 30, 1908 264,640 Great Britain Jan. 27, 1927272,419 Great Britain June 17, 1927 134,581 Switzerland Oct. 1, 1929OTHER REFERENCES Science and Music by Sir James Jeans, MacMillanCompany, New York, 1937.

